[Exclusive Interview] Denise Kim Opens Up on Her Latest Single “dance with me!” and Her Artistic Growth

8 hours ago 4

From heartfelt ballads to infectious grooves, Denise Kim shares the story behind her new release and how she’s evolving as a solo artist.

Denise Kim’s music quietly captivates with its emotional honesty and heartfelt storytelling. Since her solo debut on December 29, 2022, with the EP ‘Me Before You,’ she has been sharing songs that invite listeners into her personal journey. Tracks like “Sweet Demise” and “Distance” reveal a depth of feeling, while her thoughtful lyrics and melodies create a connection that lingers long after the music ends. Through each release, Denise has shown a willingness to be vulnerable, blending sincerity with a subtle strength that makes her work resonate deeply with fans seeking something genuine in today’s music scene.

Before embarking on her solo career, Denise was a member of the girl group SECRET NUMBER, where she gained valuable experience in the spotlight and honed her craft as a performer. Choosing to follow her own creative path, she has since released a string of digital singles—“Darling” in 2023, “Dopamine” in 2024, and most recently, “dance with me!” Released on July 24, 2025, the song blends a catchy rhythm with playful, inviting lyrics, including the memorable line, hold me for a minute, not a second or two / I’m tryna get a little taste of lovin’ from you. With each new track, Denise continues to explore fresh sounds and emotions, quietly carving out a space that reflects her unique artistic identity.

In this exclusive interview, Denise Kim opens up about the inspiration behind “dance with me!,” what this new release means to her as an artist, and how she continues to grow with each step of her journey. From creative process insights to personal reflections, Denise offers a rare glimpse into the passion and dedication fueling her music. Join us as we explore the story behind her latest single and get a glimpse of what lies ahead for this quietly compelling artist.

HELLOKPOP: Hi Denise! Congratulations on the release of your third digital single, “dance with me!” How does it feel to share this new chapter of your solo career with your fans?

Denise: Hi hi, thank you so much! It feels great, I’m really happy to be sharing music with my fans again. I have a bad habit of releasing one song a year, so I’m trying to break that streak in this new chapter!

HKP: If you could describe “dance with me!” in three words, what would they be and why?

Denise: Vibrant, upbeat, and flirty! The instrumental features a rhythmic electric guitar and synths that complement the vocals, creating that bright, fresh sound. The song has a lively retro groove, making it perfect for summertime. The lyrics are essentially about trying to charm someone at a party, so they’re very playful, which was fun to channel while recording.

HKP: What inspired the concept and sound of “dance with me!” and how is it different from your previous singles like “Darling” and “Dopamine?” How would you describe its musical style or vibe? Were there new genres or sounds you wanted to explore?

Denise: I’ve always been a huge fan of synthpop, and “dance with me!” was heavily influenced by that. I adore pop production and wanted to incorporate that sound into my own music. The song feels nostalgic but in a modern fashion, which in a way resembles my personal music taste. My last two singles were on the mellow, easy-listening side, whereas “dance with me!” is bright and lively. Lyrically speaking, the song falls into a similar realm as “Darling” and “Dopamine.” They’re lighthearted and (for lack of better words) happy, but “dance with me!” has a bit more edge to it. It’s exciting to share different sides of my artistry with listeners, both stylistically and lyrically.

HKP: Looking back from your debut EP ‘Me Before You’ to this new release, how do you feel you’ve grown as an artist and songwriter?

Denise: I consider the “Me Before You” EP to be more of a passion project, rather than an official debut. The EP was released shortly after my exit from the idol industry, as I was starting to regain my footing in music. Up until that point, I had been under labels for my entire career and wanted to see what I could do as an independent artist. Looking back now, I view the “Me Before You” EP as a remnant of that time period. On the rare occasion that I listen back to it, and it’s as if I’m reading old journal entries. I felt a lot of pressure to release music following my departure, and I felt even more pressure to make sure it was good. I was recently able to let go of that mentality and start writing for fun again, which is how “dance with me!” came about. Since the release of “Me Before You” in 2022, I’ve grown not only as an artist and songwriter, but as a person. The whole concept of your frontal cortex developing in your mid-twenties was very true in my case! I now approach music as an old friend, instead of a job. This mindset allows my creativity to flow, which I can then refine.

HKP: Has writing and performing music been a form of healing or self-discovery for you? Can you share an example?

Denise: Most definitely. I feel most artists would agree that music is one of the greatest forms of self-expression. Human emotions are complex, and writing helps me organize mine. Writing speaks to my experiences as well as my imagination, giving me space for introspection. I’ve written songs solely for my own catharsis that I wouldn’t dare show anybody because they’re so vulnerable. Writing is one thing, but performing is another. I love performing and miss it dearly. Although I haven’t had a chance to perform my own songs in front of an audience, I imagine it to be incredibly intimate. Hearing listeners say my music helped them through their own hardships is the greatest compliment I’ve ever received.

HKP: What’s one thing people might not know about the process of writing and producing a song?

Denise: How much detail goes into actually building a song. In my case, writing is usually the easiest part, where (as cliché as it is) the best songs come naturally. With the proper resources, I can write something better in an hour than if you gave me a month. Everything else that comes after the writing is the most time and energy-consuming. This isn’t to say I don’t enjoy it, but it’s tedious. The recording process alone for “dance with me!” took four sessions, not to mention the time I spent vocal comping. There were an absurd number of vocal tracks that my mixing engineers (bless their hearts) processed to add depth to the song. Ear fatigue is also something I learned while studying at my institution, meaning you have to split the mixing process into parts. Mixing is subjective, and there’s no set way of doing it, so you have to find the right people to get the desired result. The slightest increase in volume or cutting of a frequency can make or break a song, which is both fascinating and laborious.

HKP: Besides writing for yourself, you wrote and composed “SUIT & TIE” for OX:N, OMEGA X’s first subunit. How did the opportunity to write for another group come about? Are there any particular parts of the song you are proud of?

Denise: The collaboration happened very unexpectedly. A friend from the group reached out and mentioned that they were looking for songs for their upcoming release. After hearing the group’s concept, I invited a few friends (who also worked on “dance with me!”) to collaborate. I would say more than particular parts, I’m extremely proud of my collaborators. I met them at the beginning of this year, but I feel “SUIT & TIE” is what solidified our dynamic as a team. Both brought their own unique style and skillset to the song, which is what I feel makes it so special. We’re incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to write for OX:N, and we’re thrilled to have such talented artists perform the song.

HKP: Was there a defining moment in your career that made you realize you wanted to pursue being a solo artist? What was it?

Denise: Growing up, I always envisioned myself as a solo artist, not because I didn’t want to be

in a group, but because all the artists I looked up to were soloists. I was fortunate enough, however, to have had the privilege of being in not only a girl group but a team. I wouldn’t say there was a defining moment because I was genuinely content with being a part of something bigger than just myself. There’s so much I learned during that time, more specifically, the true meaning of teamwork. It’s because of my shared career with others that I’m able to be a better solo artist today.

HKP: When writing lyrics, do you prefer to tell a clear story or leave room for personal interpretation? How did you approach this in “dance with me!”?

Denise: I usually prefer to leave room for personal interpretation because I want listeners to be able to apply them to their own circumstances. I grew up reading and writing a lot of poetry, which I feel influenced my writing style. I typically write lyrics and melodies concurrently, where I’ll hit record and let my subconscious take over. This method allows me to express what I need without overthinking how to say it. My approach for “dance with me!” was the same. Most of the lyrics in the song are from my first take, with the final version having a few revisions here and there. This song is more straightforward, with a clear storyline and well-defined characters. I didn’t expect the lyrics to be so cheeky. In fact, I was a bit hesitant to keep them. Luckily, my producer/co-writer convinced me not to change them because they suited the song (which I’m glad they did!).

HKP: How do you handle moments of self-doubt or pressure? Any advice for fans going through similar difficulties that helped you?

Denise: Cry. Just kidding! (maybe not!).

Struggling with impostor syndrome and self-doubt is normal, but finding healthy coping mechanisms is crucial in managing it. Everyone is different in what works for them. I tend to keep myself occupied with projects, which hasn’t been an issue since I’m currently pursuing my degree. Channeling that energy into something productive helps to alleviate my emotions. More common methods that I’m a big advocate for are journaling, therapy, and (as much as I hate to say it) exercise. Recently, I started running, which helped tremendously in clearing my thoughts. It’s not so much the stimulation of endorphins as it is the sheer fact that I literally can’t think about anything except catching my breath. Unfortunately, the whole exercise, sleeping properly, eating vegetables, thing works! My last piece of advice would be (and I’m going to sound like a parent saying this) limiting social media consumption. Focusing on yourself becomes easier when you’re not constantly seeing what others are saying or doing.

HKP: What role does vulnerability play in your music, and how comfortable are you sharing that with your audience?

Denise: I feel that music is vulnerable. It’s a view into an artist’s introspective, which is extremely intimate. I’ve written about things in my music that took me years to open up about in therapy. By the way, therapy works! I’m a generally private person, so I find it difficult to talk about a lot of things, especially my emotions. Music allows me to express what I struggle to articulate. My greatest hope is that my music can have the same impact on others.

HKP: What’s next for you after “dance with me!”? Are there any upcoming projects or goals you’re excited about?

Denise: Everyone keeps asking me this! I suppose it’s because I have a track record of saying, “I’m going to release more music!” and then disappearing. But this time I really mean it! I’m grateful that people are curious to know what’s next. I have a few more projects lined up for the rest of the year, so please keep an eye out! I’m excited for this new chapter in my artist career, and can’t wait to share more music with listeners.

HKP: Can you share a memorable fan interaction that has stayed with you?

Denise: I love meeting my Trulys! Interacting with fans is so precious to me since I debuted during the pandemic, so I never really got the chance to see them in person. One of my most memorable interactions was with a fan named Layna. She had attended my group’s virtual fan meetings since our debut (one of them being on her birthday!), and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her in person a few times. Going from seeing her through a screen to seeing her face-to-face was and is so special to me. I remember one time she gave me a letter she had written, which I still have and hold dear. I’m so blessed to have the support of such lovely fans like Layna, and I hope to see her, as well as other Trulys, soon!

HKP: Lastly, please leave a message to fans reading this.

Denise: I feel as though every time I write a message to my Trulys, I always start by apologizing (which is what I’m about to do). I’m so sorry for not being able to connect with you all more. I wish I could say I’ll be more active on social media, but that would be a lie, so I’ll refrain from doing so. In return, however, I’ll be releasing more music this year, so please stay tuned! I can’t begin to express how blessed I am to have each and every one of you. I know I say this a lot, but I mean it every time. Your support means the world to me and encourages me to keep improving and making more music. There’s a song I wrote in the “Me Before You” EP titled “You Make Me”, and although I’m not the best at expressing my appreciation, this song says everything. I adore you, and thank you for staying with me through it all. You make me.